How to Recycle Old Clothing

There’s something energizing about cleaning out your closet, but what do you do with the clothing, shoes, and accessories that you decide not to keep?

You eco-fashionistas out there would never toss your used clothing into the trash, but unfortunately many people do. According to our sister site, Insteading, a significant percentage of the clothing and textiles we get rid of each year end up in the landfill. That adds up to hundreds of thousands of tons of waste each year.

In New York, the city government has teamed up with Housing Works to launch re-fashioNYC, a program aimed at making it easier than ever to donate used textiles. Here’s a quick video explaining a bit more about the program:

Not in New York? Don’t fret! It’s still easy to donate used clothing, accessories, and housewares! here’s how to recycle old clothing:

Track down your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Value Village. Some charities, like Vietnam Veterans of America, will even pick up your donated items.

If donating isn’t your thing, you can also have a go at selling off your unwanteds. Organize a garage sale or list them on eBay instead!

About the Author

Becky Striepe My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”), and I am a crafts and food writer from Atlanta, Georgia with a passion for making our planet a healthier, happier, and more compassionate place to live. My mission is to make vegan food and crafts accessible to everyone!. If you like my work, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Yes, do please recycle your good quality ex-wardrobe…then I shall gather them up and re-construct them into something awesome and new!

Sometimes I feel like saying ‘it’s amazing what people will throw away’ like it’s a bad thing – but that’s not the right attitude. Truthfully, it IS amazing what people will throw away, and so long as you put them somewhere other crafty folks and vintage/thrift shoppers can find them, I’m extremely glad of this!

Next time, use the word “reuse” instead of “recycle.” Those two words are very different, and should be used accordingly. Recycling clothes, for example, would be shredding up the fabric to make into furniture stuffing. We want to reuse them first.

DIY Fashion

Search the IM Network

The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.

Feelgood Style is part of the Important Media network of blogs working to make the world a better, more beautiful place.